links for 2010-08-06

The High Court has ruled that Howard-era laws that close the electoral rolls on the day that writs for an election are issued are invalid. The Australian Electoral Commission will now scramble to contact an estimated 100,000 Australians to inform them they are entitled to vote at the election on August 21.

The federal government has moved to distance itself from its controversial web snooping plans during the election campaign and the decision to hide details from the public. The Attorney-General claimed he hadn't actually seen the document that was 90% censored, despite it having passed through his office.